* In the TCG, Slowking's {{TCG|Southern Islands}} card is the only card depicting a Pokémon introduced after [[Generation I]] to have a square evolution box, in Japan only. In English, the Southern Islands collection used the Neo-era designs, which, like all later card layouts, feature a circular evolution box.

* In the TCG, Slowking's {{TCG|Southern Islands}} card is the only card depicting a Pokémon introduced after [[Generation I]] to have a square evolution box, in Japan only. In English, the Southern Islands collection used the Neo-era designs, which, like all later card layouts, feature a circular evolution box.

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* The {{p|Shellder}} of {{p|Slowbro}}'s {{Shiny}} form is gold, like a Shiny Shellder. This is not so for Shiny Slowking.

* Slowking shares its {{pkmn|category}} name with {{p|Pyroar}}. They are both known as the Royal Pokémon.

* Slowking shares its {{pkmn|category}} name with {{p|Pyroar}}. They are both known as the Royal Pokémon.

Biology

Slowking is a bipedal Pokémon with a Shellder latched onto its head. It is primarily pink, with a pale yellow muzzle and scaled belly. Its feet and hands each have a single clawed digit, while the hands also have a clawless thumb. Around its neck is a spiny ruff with alternating red and white stripes. The Shellder on its head has a spiral shape with two horns near the base. A red gem resides in the center of the Shellder.

Shellder's bite releases venom into Slowpoke's brain, causing a chemical chain-reaction that unlocks a superior intelligence and extraordinary power. More venom is injected into Slowking every time it yawns. The more venom the Shellder releases, the more intelligent Slowking will become. However, if the Shellder on its head comes off, it will forget everything it has learned. Slowking's intelligence can match that of a human and it constantly attempts to learn more. Its inspiration and intuition are also highly developed, and Slowking is able to stay calm in any situation and plan situations with effective results. In the anime, it can understand and speak the human language. According to The Complete Pokémon Pocket Guide, it has such an easy-going personality that it is never stressed. Slowking lives by the water's edge. It has been seen eating seaweed and drinking coconut milk.

Other

Slowking made its first anime appearance in A Crowning Achievement, where a colony of Slowpoke are attempting to reach the King's Rock in order to evolve into one so that they could help save the colony from a drought. The Slowpoke were faced with many problems since the King's Rock was also surrounded by Shellder and when ever they fail to reach it they evolve into a Slowbro instead. One Slowpoke named Arthur, which was owned by Alice, tries and eventually succeeds. In the end, he leaves Alice in order to be the leader for the colony. It reappeared in Larvitar and Unown's vision in the episode Address Unown.

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

A hint of Slowking's existence first appeared in Bang the Drum, Slowbro, while Lorelei was musing on Slowbro's enhanced abilities after it had been bitten by Shellder. She remarked that Slowpoke would likely have further improved abilities if it was bitten on its head.

InThe Final Dimensional Duel I, Charon was seen in possession of a Slowking. This Slowking was used to provoke Giratina into attacking Pearl, and later was used to attack Pearl again when Diamond was "killed." It was later abandoned toward the end of the arc.

Trivia

In the TCG, Slowking's Southern Islands card is the only card depicting a Pokémon introduced after Generation I to have a square evolution box, in Japan only. In English, the Southern Islands collection used the Neo-era designs, which, like all later card layouts, feature a circular evolution box.

Slowking shares its category name with Pyroar. They are both known as the Royal Pokémon.

Origin

Slowking's shell makes it similar to hermit crabs, though it is physically similar to giant otters, giant salamanders, and hippopotamuses. Its shell "crown" may also be a reference to the mythical sazae-oni, a magical sea demon of Japanese folklore distinguished by its spiny "sazae" or "turban shaped" snail shell. It is also based on a king, as the growth around its neck is based on a king's ruff while its shell is similar to a crown.

Name origin

Slowking is a combination of slow and king.

Yadoking is a combination of 宿借り yadokari (hermit crab) and king. Alternatively, it may also derive from 宿主 yadonushi ([parasitic] host), based on its relationship with Shellder in its evolutions.